Six new teams to join Sussex County League

SUSSEX football is set to welcome six new teams into its top senior league this summer.

With the Macron Store Sussex County League changing name to the Macron Store Southern Combination League for next season, the league will also welcome six new teams for a new-look Division 3.

Montpelier Villa, AFC Vardeanians, Alfold, Cowfold, Upper Beeding and AFC Roffey will all join Division 3 and the arrival of the new sides will see the third tier of the league increase from 11 teams to 16.

Two teams will be relegated from Division 2, while three will be promoted from Division 3 to increase Division 2 to 16 sides next season, subject to clubs passing ground gradings.

Division 1 will remain at 20 teams for next season.

The league are awaiting an announcement from the Ryman League on whether Dorking Wanderers will be promoted, after their ground passed its grading earlier in the season.

League chairman Steve Nealgrove said: “It’s great to see that so many teams have applied to be in the league next season.

“We will have six more teams in Division 3 than we did this season, which is good.

“The aim for us now is to try to increase Division 2 back up to the 18 teams that we had a couple of seasons ago, which is why three have been promoted form the lowest tier.”